Tahki Yarns Turnstone Tee Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Turnstone Tee

What is Being Made

The Turnstone Tee is a classic knitted pullover sweater designed by Vera Keller. This garment is a versatile, everyday piece available in three sizes: Small (bust 40"/101 cm), Medium (bust 44"/111.5 cm), and Large (bust 52"/130 cm). The finished length to shoulder ranges from 22½ inches (57 cm) in the Small size to 26 inches (66 cm) in the Large size. The design features a simple, elegant construction suitable for knitters of all skill levels, making it an ideal beginner-friendly project.

Construction Techniques

The Turnstone Tee employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the sweater is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on circular needles in rows for much of the construction, with seaming used to join pieces together. The body is divided into separate Front and Back panels that are knitted independently and then seamed. This approach provides excellent control over shaping and fit, particularly in the armhole and neckline areas.

The pattern incorporates both in-the-round knitting and flat knitting techniques. Circular needles are used throughout the project, even when working flat, which provides flexibility and comfort during extended knitting sessions. The construction includes strategic increases using M1L (Make 1 Left) and M1R (Make 1 Right) techniques to shape the garment at the armholes and neckline.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for showcasing yarn texture and drape. Stockinette stitch is worked by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows when working flat, or knitting every round when working in the round.

The Turnstone Tee also features 2x2 Rib (also written as k2xp2 Rib in the pattern), which is used for finishing edges. This rib pattern alternates two knit stitches with two purl stitches, creating vertical columns of texture that provide elasticity and a polished edge. The rib is worked at the cast-on edges and throughout certain shaping sections to add structure and prevent curling.

Additional stitch techniques include k2tog (knit two together) for decreasing, and p2tog (purl two together) for decreasing on wrong-side rows. These decreases are used strategically to shape the V-neckline and armholes. The pattern also uses standard knit and purl stitches worked in established patterns, with instructions to "knit the knits and purl the purls," a fundamental technique for maintaining stitch definition across pattern rows.

Materials and Gauge

The Turnstone Tee is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns Jupiter, a blend of 55% cotton and 45% polyester. This fiber composition creates a lightweight, breathable fabric with excellent drape and durability. The yardage requirements are 6 skeins (1,050 yards/960 meters) for Small, 7 skeins (1,225 yards/1,120 meters) for Medium, and 8 skeins (1,400 yards/1,280 meters) for Large. Each skein weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 136 yards (125 meters).

The pattern calls for Size 8 (5 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60 cm) long as the primary needle size, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. A Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle of the same length is used for ribbed edgings, which creates a tighter, more elastic finish. The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 21 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch using the larger needle. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Additional notions required include four stitch markers for marking pattern repeats and construction points, one removable stitch marker to indicate the center of the V-neckline, and a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends. These basic tools are standard for most knitting projects and ensure clean, professional finishing.

Difficulty Level

The Turnstone Tee is classified as a beginner-friendly design